China's war against the Falungong spiritual movement continues. Some 35,000 Falungong members have been arrested so far. Most have been released, although those identified as leaders are being put on trial. Four were recently convicted and sentenced to long prison terms (from seven to 18 years.) The Falungong is still around, though.

After considering several designs, the Chinese have decided to continue using the French 1,000 megawatt reactor as its standard generating unit. Two are in operation now and two more are under construction. French companies are hopeful to win huge construction contracts, but fear that the Chinese will ultimately buy the design and build it themselves. --Stephen V Cole

China has signed a deal to buy 45 Russian Su-30MKK multi-role fighters for about $1 billion. --Stephen V Cole